Slip-sliding away at Midwestern water parks

• Just 24 indoor water parks were operating in North America in 2000; today there are 140 and counting
• The parks provide an illusion of tropical climes with steamy temperatures, skylights and surfing
• Thrill-seeking families can ride plunge-style shoots, while leisure-seeking ones can relax on rivers

Next time the urge for a tropical getaway strikes, pack up and head for the Midwest, with some of the biggest indoor water parks in the country. It's the perfect way to escape the winter doldrums.

Just 24 indoor water parks were operating in North America in 2000; today there are 140 and counting.

As an inexpensive alternative to flying south, the parks provide an illusion of tropical climes with steamy temperatures, skylights and even state-of-the-art transparent roofs that make it possible to tan indoors.

Interactive attractions like surf simulators add to the fun, with many resorts now employing on-site surfing instructors. The waterslide has been reinvented and is now more likely to be of the extreme 10-story plunge variety.

Thrill-seeking families can travel down plunger-style shoots together in four-person tubes, while those wanting a more leisurely pace can try the meandering lazy rivers.

"My son thinks it's pretty magical that you can go to a water park, something associated with summer, in the winter," says Melissa Copon, a Minnesota mom whose family schedules a few water park trips every winter.

Ready to take a dip? Check out one of these five parks (hotel and water park passes included in package prices)—and don't have too much fun!

Water Park of America

Families with more than swimming on the agenda will enjoy Water Park of America's urban setting. Located less than a mile away from the Mall of America, the largest mall in the country, this park's attractions include the 10-story-tall Eagles Nest family raft ride and the Cascade Falls FlowRider surfing simulator. Packages start at $149. 1700 American Blvd., Bloomington, Minn.; 952-229-5753; waterparkofamerica.com

Kalahari Resort

At 173,000 square feet, the Kalahari Resort in Ohio is America's largest indoor water park under one roof, according to the World Waterpark Association. With African-themed suites and attractions named for safari animals, Kalahari makes for an exotic getaway. Visitors can catch a tan under Kalahari's transparent roof or rent out a private cabana complete with refrigerator, iPod dock and Internet access. The Zip Coaster water-coaster propels riders through 500 feet of free falls and high-banking turns. Packages start at $139. 7000 Kalahari Dr., Sandusky, Ohio; 877-525-2427; kalahariresorts.com/oh

KeyLime Cove

Located halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, KeyLime Cove is a truly tropical getaway for families. This island-themed water park features Toukie's Big Deluge at its center, a giant interactive play structure with a 10-foot-tall, 250-gallon splash bucket that dumps out water and more than 50 different water hoses, cannons, rope pulls, fountains and water dumps. Hurricane Vortex is a super-sized swirling whirlpool tube ride. Packages start at $119. 1700 Nations Dr., Gurnee, Ill.; 877-360-0403; keylimecove.com

Wilderness Territory

Spend a weekend at Wilderness Territory, and you might never go down the same waterslide twice. This Wisconsin resort gives guests access to four separate indoor water parks totaling more than 250,000 square feet of aquatic fun. The Wild Water Dome is a favorite spot with its mammoth wave pool, while Klondike Kavern is home to the Hurricane, which is decked out with fog machines, strobe lights and sound effects as four-seater rafts plummet down a 58-foot drop. Packages start at $99. 511 E. Adams St., Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.; 800-867-9453; wildernessresort.com

Avalanche Bay

This Michigan resort is appropriately wintry, with décor modeled after a snowy Swiss-Austrian village. But the only avalanche to fear is the 800-gallon one on the Splasherhorn, which features multiple levels, bridges, dumping buckets and water sprays. The Rip Zone simulates the perfect wave for those ready to test their surfing skills. Packages start at $252. One Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls, Mich.; 800-462-6963; avalanchebay.com

This article is excerpted from GoEscape, USA TODAY's travel magazine, on sale now. Buy wherever magazines are sold or at goescape.usatoday.com.